Performing Arts Special Collections
Performing Arts Special Collections

General Information

Location and Hours

The Department of Special Collections is located on the lower A level of the Charles E. Young Research Library. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Department is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Hours are reduced during academic intersessions and holidays. Please check the Research Library schedule of hours on the UCLA Library Web site when planning a visit.

Directions and Parking

Before driving to campus, it may be helpful to print out a map of the campus. Pay-by-space parking is available in Structure Three; enter the structure from the northeastern side, indicated by a large white arrow on the map. Pay stations offer parking for one hour for $2, two hours for $4, or all day for $10. Pay stations accept $1 and $5 bills but cannot give change; VISA and MasterCard credit cards; and debit cards.

A daily parking permit can also be purchased for $10 per vehicle at the information and parking kiosk at Hilgard Avenue and Westholme Avenue. The attendant will issue a permit for either Structure Three or Structure Five, depending on availability.

To reach campus by public transportation, see the list of public transit providers on the UCLA Web site. The MTA Web site provides a site-to-site trip planner.

Access to Special Collections Materials

The UCLA Library's primary responsibility is to the students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the University of California. However, the Library makes its resources available to the general public whenever possible as long as such service does not conflict with its primary mission. Accordingly, the Department of Special Collections welcomes all non-UC researchers eighteen years or older.

Special collections materials can be consulted only in the reading room; they do not circulate. Readers must present either a valid UCLA Library card or a valid UCLA student identification card and must register at the department's reference desk. By registering as a reader, readers agree to to abide by protocols designed to maintain the integrity of materials, ensure their preservation, and provide for long-term access. UCLA Library access-only cards are issued at no charge to individuals over the age of eighteen who present current, government-issued photo identification; they can be obtained at the circulation desks of the Arts Library, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, College Library, Eugene and Maxine Rosenfeld Management Library, Music Library, Science and Engineering Library, and Research Library.

Requesting Special Collections Materials in Advance

Many of the department's holdings are stored off-site at the Southern Regional Library Facility. Readers are advised to request materials in advance in order to avoid delays when coming to campus. To submit advance paging requests, call the department's reference desk at 310.825.4988 or send an email at least five working days prior to the date of the expected visit; include a phone number with all requests.

Paging Limitations

  • Requests to use archival and manuscript materials are limited to five boxes per day.
  • Retrieval of on-site holdings is limited to five items per hour.

Readers will be notified if there are other paging restrictions before they visit the department.

Duplication Services

Public services staff handles all duplication requests. Readers are asked to review and acknowledge the reproduction and photocopying requests notice and complete and submit the appropriate request forms. Approved requests are normally processed in the order received.

The department makes every attempt to accommodate duplication requests. However, limits have been established to ensure preservation of the materials. Duplication requests are therefore accepted pending review by public services staff.

Special Accommodations

Readers requiring special accommodations should contact the department's public services staff at least five working days in advance at 310.825.4988. Proxy cards are available. For more information, inquire at any circulation desk or visit the UCLA Library Web site.

Researchers for Hire

The Department of Special Collections maintains a list of persons available to undertake research projects on behalf of private parties. This list is available upon request. These individuals should be contacted directly. Any arrangement with them is a private transaction in which the UCLA Library assumes no responsibility for the quality of work performed or the fees charged.

Readers may also want to contact the Department of Information Studies in the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. The department posts requests by out-of-town researchers who want to hire its students to conduct research for them. Descriptions of prospective research projects and pay rates should be sent to:

Susan Abler
GSE&IS Building 
Room 207
Box 951520-1520
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1520
Phone: 310.825.5269
Fax: 310.206.4460
Send

Postings for research positions can also be made at the GSE&IS website.